How Much Is a Dog Bite Case Worth in Illinois?

How much a dog bite case is worth will vary widely depending on several factors, like whether you suffered long-lasting injuries or required reconstructive surgery. Working with a Chicago dog bite lawyer on your case can give you a better chance of a higher settlement amount while also protecting your legal rights. If you have suffered dog bite injuries, contact us today to learn how much your settlement may be worth.

What Is the Average Dog Bite Settlement Amount in Illinois?

The average settlement in Illinois is $162,917, with a median settlement amount of $35,000. The highest settlement is $1,125,000, while the lowest is $2,221.

What Factors Affect Dog Bite Claims in Illinois?

Though average settlements can give an idea of how much a dog bite case may be worth, every case is different based on overall expenses and injuries. The following factors are used during negotiation to determine how much the victim should receive.

Cost of Medical Treatment

Medical expenses for physical injuries typically constitute the highest portion of damages in a dog bite settlement. This includes medical expenses like emergency room visits, antibiotics, and vaccines. If you require surgery or skin grafts, this will significantly raise your potential settlement.

In severe cases that include nerve damage, victims may need long-term medical care, including reconstructive surgery and physical therapy. Throughout your healing process, keep track of your medical expenses, including out-of-pocket costs such as bandages, mobility aids, and urgent care visits, to monitor any potential infections.

Lost Wages

For serious injuries, some dog bite victims may need to take time off work to recover, which should be included in your dog bite claim. Keep track of your employment records and pay stubs to demonstrate your lost income. You should also preserve any doctor’s notes that explain when you can return to work and what limitations you may have.

If you suffered nerve damage and are no longer able to return to your previous employment, then your attorney can calculate the lost income and incorporate this into a settlement negotiation.

Permanent Scarring

Children below the age of five are at the greatest risk of dog bites. Due to their short stature, they are frequently bitten on the face, which can result in permanent scarring and disfigurement. Not only does this significantly increase the medical expenses they may incur, but it also leads to high non-economic damages for disfigurement.

In other dog bite cases, the victim may develop thick scar tissue on their hands that can restrict movement and require extensive reconstruction. This can also be compensated as part of a dog bite settlement. A medical professional can attest to the limitations you will face, how long the scarring is expected to last, and what emotional trauma the disfigurement can cause.

Non-Economic Damages

In addition to serious injuries, a dog attack can cause significant emotional distress and trauma. If you have been diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder after a dog bite incident, you can recover compensation for emotional trauma that will cover psychological counseling.

You can also claim pain and suffering for the physical pain that occurs from a dog bite. To ensure that your non-economic damages are properly calculated, keep detailed records of the pain and suffering you experience throughout the healing process.

For example, note down your average pain levels on a daily basis and the challenges you face, such as being unable to type or smile. Our attorneys will use pain and suffering calculators to incorporate this into your dog bite settlement amount.

Dog Owner’s Insurance and Assets

Illinois imposes strict liability on dog owners for any injuries resulting from a dog bite (510 ILCS 5/16). Their insurance company must pay the full cost of medical expenses and lost income. This may be homeowner’s insurance, business insurance, or rental insurance.

However, if their insurance policy is insufficient or they do not have insurance, they may have to pay for damages using their other assets, like their savings or investments.

In some cases, other parties may be vicariously liable for the damage, such as a landlord if the attack happened in a common area of an apartment complex.

The Illinois Joint Tortfeasor Contribution Act enables victims to sue more than one individual or organization for damages (740 ILCS 100/2). As such, we can establish what percentage of liability each party shares and ensure that each of them pays their fair share.

Example Dog Attack Cases Handled by Our Personal Injury Lawyers

Our firm is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, having secured over $450 million for our clients in the past 25 years. We are well-known for securing above-average settlements for dog bite cases thanks to our aggressive legal advocacy. These are just a few of the many dog bites we have successfully litigated on behalf of victims.

$1,200,000: Mia, a toddler, was attacked by a relative’s Doberman Pinscher during a playdate in Elk Grove Village. Mia approached the dog and patted it on the neck when the animal turned on her. She suffered facial injuries that resulted in scarring and required multiple surgeries. The dog owner attempted to claim that Mia had provoked the dog, but we demonstrated that her actions did not meet the legal definition of provocation.

$885,000: Tyler was only 15 when he was attacked by a pit bull at a family cookout in Rockford. As he was eating a hamburger, the dog charged him and pushed him into the bonfire, resulting in both burns and puncture wounds. Using court precedent, such as Kirkham v. Will, we demonstrated that the dog’s actions were unreasonable and the result of poor training.

$700,000: Hannah, a 23-year-old Loyola University music student, was visiting her friend’s apartment in Chicago’s River North neighborhood when the friend’s Saint Bernard bit her. She suffered serious nerve damage that made it impossible to play her instrument. This also caused emotional trauma, as she was facing the loss of her future career. We demonstrated that the dog owner failed to disclose the animal’s bite history or take proper preventative measures.

Consult Our Law Firm Today!

Our award-winning personal injury attorneys will guide you through the legal process and ensure that negligent dog owners are held liable. We handle each dog bite case on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you owe us nothing unless we earn compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation about your injuries.